Moses Lake, Wash (02DEC2013): Grant County Sheriff’s Office reports that two people were injured, one seriously, after an accidental shooting Sunday afternoon in Moses Lake. Neither of the injured was reported to have received life threatening injuries.
The accident occurred at the 1400 block of W. Craig St., Moses Lake, after a gun discharged during gun cleaning. According to the investigation, Terry Cafferty, age 69, sat down at his dining room table to clean several pistols while other family members were sitting nearby. During disassembly of a compact 9mm, Terry reportedly forgot to remove the loaded magazine. After pulling and releasing the slide, Terry pulled the trigger not realizing that a round had been chambered. The pistol discharged with the bullet striking him in the forearm before hitting his daughter-in-law, Miriam Cafferty, age 25, in the chest while she was seated in the living room.
Terry and Miriam were both transported to Samaritan E.R. where Miriam was later transferred to Central Washington Hospital.
No charges are anticipated at this time.
Sheriff Tom Jones adds, “This unfortunate accident is regrettably a sobering reminder of the importance behind proper firearm handling and cleaning in a safe location. We would like to extend our sincerest, warmest wishes to Miriam and Terry for a full recovery.”
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CR# 13GS14934
PR77/AGT3
